Just three old Glenfiddich


January 23, 2026

A session with no interest or meaning whatsoever — just three old Glenfiddich.

It’s true that, little by little, through increasingly excessive branding, Glenfiddich is drifting away from the small world of the “learned” and becoming more and more of a “quasi-blend”. Still, we continue to hold the brand in the highest regard and do our utmost to keep featuring it on these miserable pages as often as possible. Even if, to be honest, we now have to resort to rather unorthodox tactics to do so, given that the current production is, let’s admit it, far from inspiring. But we solemnly take the bet that Glenfiddich can still move us…

‘Nature created water; Scotland did the rest.’ French ad, circa 2000. If you’ve made any sense of it, please let us know.

Glenfiddich 15 yo ‘Solera Reserve’ (40%, OB, pure single malt, +/-2002)

We’ve tried this wee baby several times before but never quite felt inspired enough to pen a full set of notes. The time has come, especially as it’s one of those famed ‘pure single malts’, no less… Colour: gold. Nose: ah yes, one is reminded of dead leaves, peonies, potpourri, ripe apples and the faintest whiff of damp cardboard. I’m not convinced this style is bound to survive, anywhere in Scotland really. Mouth: charming malt, though the structure is extremely light and a tad drying. Over-brewed tea, bitter chocolate, cardboard again, old walnuts… Finish: very dry indeed. Cold black tea and more of that bitter chocolate. Comments: perhaps a style somewhat out of fashion, or maybe this bottle has simply seen better days? Time passes, relentlessly… (you alright, S.?)
SGP:351 - 74 points

Glenfiddich 8 yo (43%, OB, ‘Straight Malt’, Gancia, Italy, +/-1970)

We’ve already tasted a few of these well-known 8-year-olds, usually with rather pleasant results, but here comes another bottle. Any excuse will do, won’t it. Colour: white wine. This one hails from the days when ‘pale meant light’, and ‘light meant better’. Perhaps that trend is making a comeback… Nose: hay and wax paper, a touch of beer, old apples, and frankly, not much else. Mouth: a little better than on the nose but there’s still that taste of light exposure, stale herbal teas, a faint touch of old varnish… Frankly, we’re publishing this for glory and posterity’s sake, though this bottle has clearly seen brighter days. Caution at auction: this type of risk is becoming increasingly common, and you probably need to buy two bottles of this ilk (malt, 1960s or 1970s, 40–43%) just to find a good one. No luck today. Finish: short, drying, not great. Comments: adios, so long, see you in paradise.
SGP:251 - 45 points.

Last slot…

Glenfiddich 1979/1993 (46%, Moon Import, The Sails in the Wind)

Independents have seldom fared well with Glenfiddich—some were epic (1956 Intertrade!) but others quite middling (1979 Samaroli). Yet I believe this is the first time we’ve dipped our lips into this rare Moon Import with its majestically magnificent label… Colour: straw. Nose: slightly fragile, with notes of damp cardboard and hay, but also a fairly high-grade farmhouse cider. It’s a little hesitant, the apples are nice, but we’re nowhere near Port Ellen or Brora. Nor Mortlach or Balvenie, if we’re talking ‘Dufftown’. As usual, it’s the palate that will speak the truth… Mouth: no, not much charm here I’m afraid—cardboard, overripe apples of the blettest variety, and little else, sorry. Finish: a touch better, with a bit of lemon perking things up, but it all ends on flat Heineken. Heineken, indeed. Comments: immense respect to Moon Import, so let’s remain measured, but this has probably become more of a display bottle than something for your glass.
SGP:351 - 70 points.

No luck today, better luck next time, I hope. Forza Glenfiddich!

Check the index of all Glenfiddich we've tasted